Perspectives on DMPA-SC for self-injection among adolescents with unmet need for contraception in Malawi

Abstract

Self-injection of DMPA-SC may offer an appealing option for adolescents in Malawi, aligning most closely to the needs of married adolescents who may wish to delay or space pregnancies conveniently and discreetly, and who also may face fewer access barriers to receiving self-injection training from health care providers. Access barriers including stigma and concerns about privacy at home for adolescents needing to use contraception covertly would need to be adequately addressed if never-married adolescents were to consider taking up this option.